Get ready to elevate your appetizer game with these incredible Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls! Imagine all the fiery, tangy, and creamy goodness of your favorite buffalo chicken wings, neatly wrapped in a crispy, golden egg roll shell, and cooked to perfection in your air fryer. No messy deep-frying required! These irresistible bites are perfect for game day, parties, or simply when you’re craving a flavorful snack that packs a punch.
Why I Love This Recipe
I am absolutely obsessed with these Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls because they are a brilliant fusion of two of my favorite things: crispy egg rolls and the bold flavor of buffalo chicken. What I love most is the sheer convenience and healthier aspect of using an air fryer. You get that satisfying crunch without the excess oil. The filling is a dream – shredded chicken tossed with just the right amount of buffalo sauce, creamy ranch (or blue cheese), and a hint of fresh celery and green onion for balance and texture. They’re quick to assemble, cook in minutes, and are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that disappears as soon as they hit the table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Makes 8–10 egg rolls
For the Filling:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (adjust for spiciness)
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing (for creaminess)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional, for extra gooeyness)
- 1/4 cup diced celery (adds crunch and balances flavor)
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (optional, for freshness)
For Assembly:
- 8–10 egg roll wrappers
- 1 tbsp water (to seal the wrappers)
For Serving:
- Extra buffalo sauce (for dipping)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery sticks and carrot sticks (optional, for serving)
Swaps and Notes
- Shredded Chicken: This recipe is fantastic for using up leftover chicken! Rotisserie chicken is a go-to for speed and flavor, but you can easily boil and shred chicken breasts or thighs.
- Buffalo Sauce: Choose your favorite brand and heat level. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce is a classic! Adjust the amount to your desired spiciness.
- Dressing: Ranch dressing provides a cool, herby balance, while blue cheese dressing offers a sharper, tangier counterpoint. Use what you love!
- Cheese: Mozzarella provides a nice melt, while cheddar adds more flavor. A blend is always a good idea!
- Celery: Don’t skip the celery! It adds a crucial crunch and a fresh, slightly bitter note that cuts through the richness, just like with classic buffalo wings.
- Green Onion: Adds a mild oniony freshness. If you don’t have it, a tiny pinch of onion powder in the filling can add a subtle flavor.
- Egg Roll Wrappers: These are typically found in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores. Spring roll wrappers are usually too thin.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s get these crispy, flavorful egg rolls assembled and air-fried!
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes. This ensures the air fryer is hot enough to start crisping the egg rolls immediately.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, shredded cheese (if you’re using it for that extra gooeyness), diced celery, and thinly sliced green onion (if desired). Stir everything together thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly coated and well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Egg Rolls Lay one egg roll wrapper on a clean, flat surface in a diamond shape (with one corner pointing towards you). Place about 2–3 tablespoons of the prepared filling in the center of the wrapper, closer to the bottom corner. Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper up and over the filling, tucking it in tightly. Then, fold in the left and right sides towards the center, creating an envelope shape. Starting from the bottom, tightly roll the wrapper upwards towards the remaining top corner. Just before you reach the very top corner, dab a small amount of water onto the corner (this acts like glue) and press it down to seal the egg roll tightly. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
Step 4: Cook in the Air Fryer Lightly spray the assembled egg rolls evenly with cooking oil (avocado oil or olive oil spray works well). This helps them get beautifully golden and crispy. Carefully place the egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s crucial to leave space between each roll for proper air circulation; this ensures they crisp up rather than steam. You will likely need to cook them in batches. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Continue to cook until they are gloriously golden brown and perfectly crispy on all sides.
Step 5: Serve Once cooked, carefully remove the hot, crispy egg rolls from the air fryer. Serve them immediately while they are warm, alongside extra buffalo sauce for those who crave more heat, and a generous side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. For a classic buffalo wing-inspired presentation, don’t forget to add fresh celery sticks and carrot sticks on the side.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to cram in as much filling as possible, but overfilling can make the egg rolls difficult to roll and prone to bursting during cooking. Stick to 2-3 tablespoons.
- Seal Tightly: Make sure to seal the egg roll wrappers well with water. A loose seal can cause them to unravel in the air fryer.
- Single Layer is Key: For maximum crispiness, never stack egg rolls in the air fryer. Cook in batches, allowing space around each one.
- Light Oil Spray: A light spray of oil is all you need to achieve that desired golden-brown, crispy exterior without excess fat.
- Shredded Chicken: Ensure your chicken is finely shredded so it mixes well and doesn’t create large lumps that could tear the wrapper.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls are fantastic as an appetizer or a fun snack, but they can also make a light meal!
- Dipping Sauces: Essential! Beyond ranch and blue cheese, a simple sour cream dip or even a creamy Sriracha mayo could be interesting.
- Veggie Platter: Always serve with celery and carrot sticks for that classic buffalo wing experience.
- Finger Food Spread: Pair them with other crowd-pleasing appetizers like Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter or Easy Cheese Stuffed Chicken Wontons with Ranch Golden Crunchy Addictive.
- Game Day Feast: They’re a perfect addition to a game day spread, perhaps alongside This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These egg rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but here’s how to handle leftovers or prep ahead:
- Refrigeration (Cooked): Store cooked and cooled egg rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to re-crisp.
- Freezing (Uncooked): You can assemble the egg rolls and freeze them before cooking. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- To Cook from Frozen: Lightly spray with oil and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- Filling Only: The filling can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This cuts down on day-of prep time.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the easy, cheesy, and chicken-filled goodness of these egg rolls, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other crowd-pleasing dishes:
- For another fantastic sheet-pan appetizer that feeds a crowd, check out These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast.
- If you’re a fan of interactive and customizable meals for gatherings, our Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd is always a hit!
- And for another go-to chicken dinner that’s super versatile, our Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit is a winner.
Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls are a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with the magic of the air fryer, can create a truly spectacular and addictive snack or appetizer. They’re crunchy, bursting with that beloved buffalo flavor, and so much fun to make and eat. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a delicious treat, these are sure to become a new favorite.
Give them a try and prepare to be amazed! We’d love to hear how they turn out for you, so feel free to share your comments and experiences below. And for more fantastic, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!
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